Assessment of Relationship between Behavioral Disorders and Emotional Intelligence

Introduction: Emotional intelligence as an aspect of social intelligence determines the individual’s ability in encountering with psychic pressures and adopting with them. Based on previous studies deficiency of emotional intelligence has a relation with disruptive behaviors in adolescents. The purpose of this research was to find the relationship between behavioral disorders and emotional intelligence (Emotional Intelligence Quotient: EQ) in secondary school students in Tehran City. Method: In whole, 420 students (195 boys and 225 girls) from six high schools in three city areas (1, 6, 16) selected randomly. Subjects were asked to complete SDQ and SSRI scales. Ultimately, data from 420 students were analyzed with Pearson correlation and Multiple Regression. Results: EQ and it's components, that is mean regulation of emotion, appraisal and expression of emotion and utilization of emotions, showed negative relationship with behavioral disorders (respectively r=-0.27, r=- 0.29, r=-0.17, r=-0.24 and p<0.001). In addition, results suggested that general EQ (Beta=-0.275, p<0.000) and one of it's component's, that is regulation of emotion (Beta=-0.293, p<0.000) can predict significantly behavioral disorders. Conclusion: The role of EQ in shaping behavioral disorders has some important implications especially for professionals in the field of behavioral disorders. For example considering EQ improvement programs in preventing and treating behavioral disorders is necessary.